Johnson says the introduction of Wilkinson, along with the presence of other experienced players like Jason Robinson and Phil Vickery, will make England a stronger proposition than they were during the autumn internationals.

"Against the All Blacks we had a guy making his debut at nine (Shaun Perry) and a guy making his debut at 12 who was very young (Anthony Allen).

"It's very difficult to win Test matches in that situation. You can't take all your experienced players out and expect to perform at the highest level."

Another former England captain, Will Carling, said he thought Wilkinson had been brought back too soon.

"I don't want him rushed back," Carling told BBC Sport.

"The pressure on him will be incredible. And you have to ask what this says to Toby Flood and every other aspiring fly-half.

"It's nothing to do with current form - it's his form of nearly four years ago."